The meeting will look at how organic wastes can be turned into energy

The event, taking place next month, has been organised by energy organisation Renewables East and National Farmers' Union (NFU) in East Anglia.

It will examine the potential for organic wastes, food processing and vegetable waste to be used to help generate electricity.

The event is aimed at farmers, waste companies, developers and councils.

NFU President Peter Kendall will give the keynote address at the Make Energy Not Waste conference.

'Economic benefits'

Other speakers will look at bio-energy projects in the region such as Bedfordia Biogas in Bedfordshire - a renewable energy business combining 30,000 tonnes of food chain waste per annum and pig slurry to produce electricity and green fertilizer.

Richard Parker, of University of East Anglia-based Renewables East said: "It is encouraging to see projects starting to harness this new technology but the potential is there to do much more.

"This will bring both environmental and economic benefits to the East of England.

"We're lagging behind other European countries such as Germany, which already has more than 2500 anaerobic digestion plants producing heat and electricity."

Renewables East has received �680,000 from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) to offer advice to companies to help kick-start bio-energy projects in the region.

NFU regional policy adviser Rachel Carrington said: "We believe farmers have a crucial role to play in combating climate change and this conference will highlight many innovative opportunities for them to get involved."

The conference takes place at Chilford Hall, Linton, Cambridgeshire, on 5 December.